Projected Scores For Friday NCAA Tournament Action
Our advanced computer model simulated each NCAA Tournament matchup 10,000 times. Here are the results for nine of Friday's games.
The NCAA Tournament is back in action Friday, and SportsLine's advanced computer model has simulated every game in the field of 68 10,000 times to come up with the projected final scores and key stats.
Here are the results for nine of Friday's most intriguing NCAA Tournament games.
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Friday, March 16
SportsLine Projection Model's score: North Carolina 92, Lipscomb 71
Vegas line: The Tar Heels opened at -19, with the line rising to 19.5 (O/U 161.5)
Projected stats: North Carolina hauls in 43 rebounds and hits nine three-pointers while covering the spread against Lipscomb. Joel Berry II has a monster game with 23 points, five rebounds and 5.3 assists, and Tar Heels teammate Luke Maye adds 17.4 points and 10.8 boards. Garrison Mathews leads the way for Lipscomb with 17.1 points and 4.5 rebounds, while Rob Marberry chips in 13.9 points and 4.3 boards.
SportsLine Projection Model's score: Butler 80, Arkansas 76
Vegas line: The game opened as a pick'em, and now Butler is laying 1.5 (O/U 151.5)
Projected stats: Kelan Martin's 21 points and 7.1 rebounds push Butler to the win and cover. He gets a boost from Kamar Baldwin's 15.2 points and 2.9 assists. The Razorbacks fall just short despite Jaylen Bradford's 15.4 points and 3.9 boards and Daryl Macon's 15.3 points.
SportsLine Projection Model's score: West Virginia 81, Murray State 69
Vegas line: The Mountaineers opened at -9.5, with the line creeping up to 10.5 (O/U 145.5)
Projected stats: Despite 21.1 points and 3.8 assists from Jonathan Stark and 13.5 points and 6.9 rebounds from Terrell Miller Jr., the Racers fall short against the Mountaineers, who get 15.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 5.4 assists from Jevon Carter. Boosting the West Virginia cause is Daxter Miles Jr., who swishes 12.6 points.
SportsLine Projection Model's score: Nevada 74, Texas 69
Vegas line: The Wolf Pack opened at -1.5, with the line inching down to 1 (O/U 143.5)
Projected stats: In a tight came, Caleb Martin charges ahead with 17.4 points and 5.4 rebounds for Nevada, while teammate Jordan Caroline puts in 15.8 points and 7.9 boards. Strong efforts by Longhorns Mohamed Bamba, including a double-double with 13.8 points and 11 rebounds, and Dylan Osetkowski (12.6 points and 7.3 boards) aren't enough.
SportsLine Projection Model's score: Creighton 75, Kansas State 69
Vegas line: The Bluejays opened at -1.5, and now are laying 1 (O/U 144.5)
Projected stats: Creighton takes the cover comfortably, thanks to Marcus Foster's 21.1 points and 3.8 boards, and Khyri Thomas' 13.6 points and 4.6 rebounds. The Wildcats get 16.6 points and 3.9 rebounds from Barry Brown Jr. in the losing cause. Makol Mawien chips in 12.8 points and 5.8 boards for Kansas State.
SportsLine Projection Model's score: Auburn 82, Charleston 71
Vegas line: The Tigers opened as 10.5-point favorites, and now are laying 9.5 (O/U 148)
Projected stats: Auburn rolls to an easy win as Mustapha Heron leads the way with 18.7 points and 6.9 rebounds. Fellow Tiger Jared Harper contributes with 14.7 points and 5.5 assists. Charleston gets 17.5 points from Grant Riller, and 17.4 points and 3.6 boards from Joe Chealey.
SportsLine Projection Model's score: Virginia 68, UMBC 49
Vegas line: The Cavaliers opened as 22.5-point favorites, and now are laying 21 (O/U 121)
Projected stats: The Retrievers don't get the upset win, but do get the cover as Jairus Lyles goes off for 12.7 points and 4.1 rebounds and K.J. Maura nets 7.9 points and 3.1 assists. Kyle Guy leads Virginia with 15.1 points and teammate Ty Jerome adds 12.4 points and 4.4 assists.
SportsLine Projection Model's score: Florida State 76, Missouri 74
Vegas line: Florida State opened as a 1-point underdog, but now is favored by 1.5 (O/U 147.5)
Projected stats: In a squeaker, the Seminoles hang on to beat the Tigers. Braian Angola paces Florida State with 12.5 points, 3.6 boards and 3.0 assists, and Terance Mann comes up big with 11.6 points and 6.6 rebounds. Kassius Robertson's 15.7 points aren't enough for Missouri, who also gets 13.1 points and 5.8 boards from Jordan Barnett.
SportsLine Projection Model's score: Clemson 71, New Mexico State 62
Vegas line: The Tigers opened as 5-point favorites, and now are laying 4.5 (O/U 133)
Projected stats: Clemson covers the spread behind Elijah Thomas' 10.9-point, 8.4-rebound performance. Aiding the Tigers' cause is Marcquise Reed's 15.1 points. Jemerrio Jones' double-double of 11.8 points and 11.6 boards isn't enough for New Mexico State. Zach Lofton of the Aggies nets 20.1 points and 4.5 rebounds in the losing effort.
